TravelPulse Canada recently had the opportunity to experience Premium Economy on board Air Canada’s 777-300ER from London Heathrow (LHR) to Toronto (YYZ).
Air Canada remains the only Canadian airline operating the Boeing 777, flying both the -200LR and -300ER variants. Onboard, the carrier offers three classes of service: Signature Class, Premium Economy, and Economy.
Having previously flown the same route in Economy, the difference was notable. The 37-inch seat pitch, wider seats, and larger entertainment screens made for a more comfortable long-haul journey.
For frequent transatlantic travellers, the added space and reduced need to climb over seatmates proves worthwhile compared to Economy.
The route comparison underscores what many trade partners already know: Air Canada’s Premium Economy product offers an appealing middle ground for clients seeking greater comfort without the cost of Signature Class.
Air Canada Boeing 777 at Heathrow (Photo Credit: TravelPulse Canada/Natasha Lair-McKenty)
Triple Seven
The Boeing 777 remains the world’s largest twin-jet and its most-produced wide-body aircraft, with 1,761 built as of June 2025, according to Simple Flying.
Air Canada operates 19 B777-300ERs.
Signature Class
- Collins Aerospace Super Diamond seats in a 1-2-1 layout
- Fully-flat beds stretching 79 inches
- 21-inch seat width
- 18-inch HD touch screens
- Storage compartments for personal items
Premium Economy
- Recaro PL3510 seats, arranged 2-4-2
- 37-inch pitch and 20-inch width
- 8-inch recline
- 10.4-inch HD touch screens
- Adjustable headrests, leg rests, and bi-folding tables
Economy
- Collins Pinnacle seats in a 3-4-3 layout
- 31-inch pitch and 17.1-inch width
- 6-inch recline
- 8.9-inch HD touch screens
- Hammock-style adjustable headrests
Across all classes, passengers have access to the Panasonic eX2 entertainment system, Intelsat 2Ku satellite Wi-Fi, and power outlets with USB-A ports.
A330 Premium Economy cabin (Photo Credit: Air Canada)
Configurations
Air Canada’s 777-300ERs are configured in two layouts:
- Layout One (12 aircraft): 40 Signature, 24 Premium Economy, 336 Economy (400 total seats)
- Layout Two (7 aircraft): 28 Signature, 24 Premium Economy, 398 Economy (450 total seats)
The second configuration increases capacity by shrinking the Signature cabin and expanding Economy, which Air Canada primarily deploys on high-demand routes.
Bulkhead seats, available in both Premium Economy and Economy, offer additional legroom but no under-seat storage.
Families have access to bassinets attached to bulkhead walls.
At the rear of the aircraft, a 2-4-2 seating layout rather than the standard 3-4-3 provides extra elbow room, but passengers seated there may experience more foot traffic and turbulence.
As Simple Flying notes, “the best seat may depend on the customer.”
Signature Class minimizes the impact of factors like aisle access but not turbulence, while Premium Economy is a balance between comfort and value. Economy remains the highest-density option, with subtle variations in comfort depending on row location.
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